Company Description
W.B Daw & Son is a family farming business based in the West Midlands farming combinable crops and potatoes as well as operating beef, sheep, pig and biomass enterprises. The business operates from 2 main sites and farms 30miles across Staffordshire.
The arable enterprise comprises of 2,500 acres of combinable crops: winter wheat, oilseed rape, barley, beans and winter oats are all grown annually and stored over 2 sites. The farms main crop is potatoes, growing around 500 acres annually, supplying McCains, McDonalds and a local crisp producer.
The farm uses modern machinery, farming techniques and management practices. John Deere and Fendt tractors form the main machinery fleet ranging in size from 160hp to 550hp, Grimme, Simba, Väderstad and Agrifac equipment are also used. The business runs Gatekeeper and GPS steering systems are used with all of the main field operations.
Over 400 breeding ewes and 250 beef cattle are reared extensively on permanent pastures and areas of outstanding natural beauty and operate from 2 sites. All the cattle and lamb are finished on the farm. 1,600 acres of HLS is integrated into the livestock enterprises such as low input grassland and native grass leys. A 2,000 place bed and breakfast pig unit completed in 2019 is based on our main farm for BQP and supplies Waitrose, Co-op and M & S. This is managed by a former placement student and the farm was a finalist for “Finisher of the Year” 2020 at the National Pig Awards.
Completed in 2018 was a new 4000t grain storage complex which ties into our existing grain storage site, this has been designed with a 1500kW Biomass Boiler which is used for grain drying, utilizing straw and wood chipped on the estate. We run our own baler, baling our own haylage in the summer and straw from harvest for the livestock enterprises, biomass plant and selling during the year. From here we also operate a commercial drying business, drying anything from woodchip to coffee husks. A wedding venue also operates on site and is heated via the boiler.
As a placement student you will join a team of 6 full-time staff, and a further 5-6 during peak times of the year. Accommodation is provided by neighbouring farmer who is situated in between our two main sites. A farm house on their property is used by us and them for our placements and seasonal staff.
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Job description
Harper Adams placements commence at the beginning of July and finish at the end of September the following year (working alongside the farms new placement student during your second harvest). Start and finish dates and length of placement are flexible depending on the requirements of the student and the College/University.
Work will be predominantly arable based but will also include livestock (cattle and sheep) work, especially in quiet periods and over winter. As well as helping with the pig unit during the early and later stages of each batch and taking part in a weekend rotor.
In the summer the role will involve some irrigation but mostly you will be involved in the cereal harvest, this will be predominantly based at our new storage site. Cultivations, drilling and straw clearing then take priority before the potato harvest commences. There are many roles in the first 6 months of the placement and these will depend on performance and responsibility. During the winter months, livestock work, winter projects, maintenance and out loading of potatoes are the main duties. In the spring potato planting provides many more opportunities for field work and to see the processes involved with a specialist crop.
Each placement we have had is different from the last depending on the students’ abilities, interests and roles on the farm.
Experience with large scale machinery both operating and servicing, and John Deere/Fendt guidance systems will be an advantage. The confident, safe and respectful use of machinery on and off the road is vital! PA1, Telescopic Handler certificates and a full clean Drivers License are essential as well as an interest and enthusiasm for working on a farm. Many additional certificates can be acquired during the placement.
During the placement there are ample opportunities for one-on-one time with management looking in detail at areas of the business from variable rate application maps to rotations and cost analysis as well as days with agronomists and advisors.
We have had many successful placements over the years and offer a fantastic opportunity to learn and develop skills and interests amongst a highly professional team. We are not looking for a bum on a seat! We are looking for someone with a passion and interest in farming, who can work hard for long hours and contribute to our business. This placement is ideally suited for someone who wants to pursue a career in farm management, working alongside a Harper graduate and former placement student who manages many aspects of the farm. If you want 90 hours a week in a tractor cab this isn’t for you.
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Apply with your CV and Covering letter to Sam@wbdawandson.co.uk